Fire and Ice 2

This is as ever all A/B (not a minus point as far as I'm concerned),
and more romantic than otherwise (which may be - there are a couple of
writers I like for romantic A/B slash but the Floods of Tears school
doesn't do much for me). Most of the shortest stories (4 pages or
less) strike me as sketches that should have been filled out, but YM
May As Always V.

Artwork

Nice cover by Phoenix - armwrestling. Avon is looking Wearily
Affectionate and Blake is looking Obstinately Gentle. I like this
better than the other Phoenix stuff I've seen - it looks more low-key
and intimate.

Frontispiece by Gayle Feyrer. One of those "Avon is cold,
dignified and stunningly beautiful" types of pictures. Not bad,
actually.

Additional artwork by Cat. The less said the better as far as
I'm concerned - not my type of thing at all.

Poetry

Usual selection of metrically-challenged outpourings. I'm not the best
person to review this, either

Stories

Planetfall by Thomas

One of those "stranded" type of stories. Some degree of hurt/comfort.
Avon tries to be sophisticated and emotionless, but ends up caught in
his own trap - the last to know about his own feelings.

Mad, Bad & Dangerous To Know by S. Lewis

Typical S. Lewis story - floods of tears and a happy ending. You'll like
it if you like that sort of thing.

Some Guys Have All The Luck by Riley Cannon

Entertaining, lightweight, fun...

Planetfall by Pat Terra

I like this one. Avon and Blake on holiday. A certain Dr. Carnell is
pulling strings by talking to them separately and telling Avon about
Blake and Blake about Avon. The psychology is (in real life) from Eric
Berne's books on game theory. Idyllic sex scene but dark, disturbing
undercurrents.

Melancholy by Sebastian

One of my two favourite stories in this 'zine. One of Sebastian's
erotic, lyrical, bittersweet and complicated tales. She is very good at
not needing Big Plots to make her writing work, and I prefer that -
the story comes out of the characters.

The Point by R. Olivia Brown

Well-written but unusual - Blake and Avon listen to a sort of tragic
Celtic-style myth that has strange similarities to their own
experience.

Rescue by Leslie Marshall

Blake rescues Avon from execution - and Avon has to confront his own
feelings, making about as good a job of it as you would expect.

Do Not Go Gentle by Riley Cannon

Short, gloomy...

Splendid Isolation by Thomas

Nice PWP - Blake barges into Avon's room to harass him into fixing
something but is extremely startled to discover him masturbating...

A Trip Down Memory Lane by Airelle

I hate this one but I know a lot of people like it. I like "dark", but
I don't go for "tragic", so it could be that that puts me off.
Interesting idea, though.

To Hell Among the Rogues by xBryn Lantry

My other favourite in this 'zine. Lantry is definitely one of those
writers you either love or hate - she writes in a style unlike most
other slash writers I've found so far. Seductively rich with passion
and hinted darkness. Romantic but tense rather than gushy.

"You've met my-- associate, Avon." The statement was cast as a leading
question.

Carnell tipped back and smiled at the sky. "Oh yes."

Blake's eyebrows lifted, encouraging him to continue...

"...in extreme cases he may feel entitled to a 'free' homicide, already paid
for by repeated betrayals at the hands of people carefully chosen for their
untrustworthiness..."

Blake licked his lips, suddenly cold beneath the tropical sun. "How does one
recognize such a man?"

Carnell smiled. Most people were so dense. "Just listen to him. His favorite
past time is discussing double-crosses - past, future, real or anticipated.

Observe him. His favorite game is proving that others are untrustworthy."

"Inferior, stupid, or wrong-headed?" Blake clarified.

Carnell nodded. "Exactly. Sound like anyone you know?"

MAD, BAD, AND DANGEROUS TO KNOW by S. Lewis

Blake sampled the ale thoughtfully and then returned his abruptly lucid gaze
to Avon. "Well, Avon," he said pleasantly enough, "I do think that some sort
of explanation is called for."

Avon had not yet tasted his drink, and he did not do so now. Instead, he
dropped his eyes to study his hands, which were clasped together on the rough
wooden table top. "An explanation?" he repeated softly. "Of what, exactly?"
The response was nothing more than a ridiculous attempt to postpone the
inevitable.

Blake obviously recognized that fact. He sighed patiently. "It is unlike you
to dissemble, Avon. You know very well 'of what'. My... abduction from the
Liberator."